About us

We are a UK registered international charity focusing on people who find themselves trapped by disease, poverty and prejudice and we help them to improve their health, lives and livelihoods.

We work with individuals and communities affected by some of the world’s oldest and most neglected diseases.

Working on the ground in India, Bangladesh and Mozambique we treat, educate and rehabilitate, and through this give a voice to people living on the margins of society.

We work regardless of caste, religion or race. Our models draw on evidence gained through our 90 years’ experience and our approach to community engagement delivers real change to people’s lives.

Why we're needed

Almost two thirds of the world’s leprosy burden is in India and Bangladesh. Last year 213,899 people were diagnosed globally. Millions more are living with the long term effects of the disease including disability and prejudice.

Over 120 million people are currently infected with lymphatic filariasis, an incurable but completely preventable disease spread by mosquitos.

A staggering 1.4 billion people are at risk worldwide from this disease. Tuberculosis (TB) is the second biggest killer after HIV, killing five people every two minutes globally.

Most read

Leprosy is completely curable, if treated early. Yet, tragically many people diagnosed today will already have terrible disabilities due to late diagnosis. Over 3 million more people are living in the shadows, with undiagnosed leprosy, and every day the disease causes more damage to their bodies, lives and futures.
Find out more

The Lepra Edinburgh to St Andrews Cycle Ride has hit a flat….! But don’t worry, we have an extra tube or two, a hand pump and a CO2 canister and plan to be back on track in June 2020. Keep an eye out for our exciting new developments and entry arrangements here.